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Dallas Mavericks: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

By Jerran Anderson

DALLAX, TX - JUNE 23: Donnie Nelson, Mark Cuban, Dennis Smith Jr., Rick Carlisle and Michael Finley of the Dallas Mavericks introduce their 2017 draft pick Dennis Smith Jr. during at a press conference on June 23, 2017 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glen James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAX, TX - JUNE 23: Donnie Nelson, Mark Cuban, Dennis Smith Jr., Rick Carlisle and Michael Finley of the Dallas Mavericks introduce their 2017 draft pick Dennis Smith Jr. during at a press conference on June 23, 2017 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glen James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 11: Dennis Smith Jr.
TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 11: Dennis Smith Jr. /

5. Dennis Smith Jr. will be the starting point guard on day one

The Dallas Mavericks have the makings of a star in point guard Dennis Smith Jr..  That’s why I’m a believer the rookie will be their starting point guard for the first game of the 2017-18 season.

Now, before we all overreact, here’s an NBA Summer League disclaimer from HoopsHabit’s own Max Holm:

"“What Summer League is good for, mostly for the rookies, is seeing what they do well now and what they do not. “Even then, dominating Summer League does not mean a player is destined to tear up the NBA to the same degree. Summer League is just a benchmark assessment, but it’s useful to see if our view of players from when they left college is still the same. “It’s important to see if a player looks to have the same weaknesses as before or whether they look better in certain areas. It’s safe to say Smith looks better and answered some of the question marks raised about him at NC State.”"

Smith Jr. averaged 18.1 points, 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game last season with the NC State Wolfpack. Statistically, he ranked first in assists per game, second in steals per game and eighth in the ACC in points per game. The Wolfpack finished with a 15-17 record despite Smith’s production.

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With the Mavericks in Summer League, he led the team to a 5-1 record while averaging 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He led the team in scoring, was second in rebounds per game and tied for first in steals per game with Yogi Ferrell.

Smith Jr. was more or less impressive in leading the team to victory, an important characteristic to have as a point guard in the NBA.

The 6’3″ guard will have some competition in training camp and the front office has already said the starting point guard spot is up for grabs. They’ve got Yogi Ferrell, Seth Curry, Devin Harris and J.J. Barea in the backcourt for the 2017-18 season.

Training camp should be interesting for Dallas this season. On a roster with better talent and a better coach in Rick Carlisle, Smith Jr. should do great things and have no problem earning the starting job.

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